I have a 92' Ford Ranger with 2.9 V6. I have been having this problem for 3 months. It comes and goes. I try to start the engine. The starter motor cranks strong, but the engine begins to start roughly (or smoothly) and just conks out. Then I hook up my battery charger/engine starter-or someone jump starts it- and it fires right up

I might go an entire month without this starting problem, then it reappears.

The battery and alternator tested fine. The alternator and fuel pump were replaced just under two years ago.

People are naturally inclined to say it is the battery, but how can the battery be dead part of the time?

I do have a theory. I remember my mechanic saying that he loosened my alternator belt just a little. The belt is cracking and he said if it was too tight, it would snap and he did not want me do get stranded. There is no slippage or squealing with the belt.

Could it be that the belt is just loose enough that it is causing a very slow battery drain that is not noticeable?

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Dave

 

As you've implied, it could be a belt slipping. If it's in poor condition, you ought to have replaced it already. You might also consider one (or both) of the battery cables. My dad had a 92 Explorer (which should be more or less identical to your ranger) that had intermittent starting problems. He replaced several parts, but it ended up being the cable that runs down to the starter. It looked good on the outside, but had corrosion on the inside that wasn't evident until it was removed.

 

im no real expert on such matters but to me id guess u have a little crap floating around in ur fuel injectors and may possibly clog an injector port... id try making sure that they r all clear...

 

thanks all for responding to my problem "mysterious problem reappears." I replaced my battery and the problem seems to be gone. But since I was due for a fuel injector cleaning, I had that done too. And I am getting my alternator belt replaced in a few days

Also, my battery cable insulation was swollen and cracked near the battery, so I had cables and clamps replaced .

Thanks,
Dave